Miami, Fort Lauderdale win first batch of commercial air service to Cuba

U.S. Department of Transportation leaders announced Friday six domestic airlines approved for service as part of the historic agreement between the U.S. and Cuban leaders.

"Last year, President Obama announced that it was time to 'begin a new journey' with the Cuban people," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "Today, we are delivering on his promise by re-launching scheduled air service to Cuba after more than half a century."

Airports receiving scheduled service to Cuba are Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, Philadelphia and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Under the agreement, the airlines will operate up to 10 daily roundtrip flights between the U.S. and Cuba's nine international airports, excluding Havana.

DOT leaders are still evaluating applications for service to Havana and a decision on those routes, up to 20 daily flights, will be released later this summer. Three airlines, JetBlue, Southwest and Delta, filed applications to offer daily commercial service between Orlando International and Havana.

On Feb. 16, Foxx and Department of State Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs Charles Rivkin signed an agree to re-establish commercial air service between the two countries.

Commercial air service between the U.S. and Cuba has been embargoed since 1960. In December 2014, President Barack Obama eased travel restrictions to allow travel agents and carriers to book flights there without permission from the U.S. government.

Travel to Cuba is allowed only for 12 preapproved reasons, including visiting family or religious, educational or cultural reasons.